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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Honda Generator

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sfein
1st Mate

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36 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/22/2006 : 18:54:51

Hi All,

I have been considering for some time and am ready to make a decision and would ask for the forums advice on what could be dangerous.

I dock my Catalina 25 on a mooring in a local salt water bay. I have seen certain people use a small Honda Generator, like the EU1000i to run simple electronics while anchored for the night. My plan is to run simple electronics, not high powered air conditioning.

I thought I would leave it on the back benches close to the Engine when running onboard. Someone suggested I could put it in the berth were the gas is currently stored. This scared me due to Carbon Monoxide exhausted from the generator while running.

They also suggested that a marine generator might be better because of salt conditions but I would think the Honda can handle that. I am going to be transporting the generator back each weekend when I am not on the boat via our dink.

I wanted to see if anybody has used a Generator in this manner? Or would have some suggestions on how to do this and prevent Carbon Monoxide from entering the cabin were we sleep!

Thanks

Stuart Fein
Blonde Over Blue
1980 Catalina 25
East Hampton, New York

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sfein
1st Mate

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36 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 19:04:44

Oh, by the way I have a 1980 so the berth were the gas is stored is not air tight to the quaterberth. Unlike later models were gas was stored basically in a protected berth.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 19:15:17

I think you are on the right track. Put it on a stern seat and plug in your regular shor power. Since you are on a mooring the stern seat will be down wind.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 20:47:55

I would suggest you compare the power, dimensions, weight, features, and prices of the Honda EU1000i and EU2000i before settling on the EU1000i. As I recall, the EU2000i is about the same size and weight, and puts out a lot more powerful for a little more money.

Depending on what "simple electronics" you have in mind, I'd suggest running them all off 12VDC from your house bank. Then run the generator to power a 120vac battery charger when the batteries get down near 50% charge. With simple enough electronics, and a large enough house bank, this approach would likely eliminate any need to have the generator running while you're asleep, thus solving your carbon monoxide in the cabin while sleeping concern.

Regarding Honda generators in a saltwater environment, I'd strongly suggest a protective cover over the generator whenever it's not running. This cover could be as elaborate as a fitted draw string slip cover made of something like Sunbrella, or as simple as a heavy duty trash bag. The obvous point being to minimize the amount of salt which gets in and on the generator from spray, rain, mist, fog, and everyday salt air. You might want to check with Honda -- they may offer some sort of perfectly fitted protective case of cover as an accessory.

-- Leon Sisson

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boatgt
Navigator

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117 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 22:16:10

I just purchased the EU2000i last week. I have only used it one time on the boat but it was awesome! I don't have shore power at my slip but don't care anymore. Last week I installed a new 4” SS Nicro vent with a jig saw and charged my batteries up. Going with the 2000 instead of the 1000 seemed like a no brainer once you compare the specs and price. It’s always better to have more power and not need it, then to need it in the future and not have it!

My boat doesn’t currently have a shore power plug or 110 outlets but will in the next couple weeks. I don’t currently have air conditioning in my boat but may install a unit later this summer. I ran the motor on the port cockpit seat and it will fit easily in the cockpit locker while not in use.

The gas cap has an on/off valve so I don’t think vapors will be an issue. My boat is an 81 that has a separate enclosure for the outboard gas tank. I still don’t like the idea of the electrical panel being in the fuel locker in older c25’s. I will post more after I have used the generator more.

Gene

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 22:34:50

A Honda on a Hunter...

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2006 : 23:55:40

If I ever do another trailer trip to the San Juans, I might bring a small portable genset like the Honda 2000, specifically to power a small chest freezer like what Frank Hopper has in his his V-berth. These draw about 130 watts, and run about 30 minutes per hour if the ambient temp is 75ºF, so you would have to run the genset about 10 minutes per hour to keep the house battery charged. I would probably run the freezer from a 300 watt inverter connected to two Group 27 deep cycle batteries, then run the genset as needed to keep the batteries up. If anyone has ever done anything like this, i.e. gone cruising with a small 120 volt household type fridge/freezer running off an inverter, let me know how much power it actually used. Is it practical to do in a Catalina 25 for two or three weeks? Or is the power draw too much to keep up with?

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broudbrun
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 09:30:38

I bought the knock-off Kapur version of the Honda 1000 for $399. It's worked great for the last year, and when used on the boat I've always had it on deck and only for recharging, not when sleeping. When it cools down, and the gas run out, it stores easily. I'm wondering when it will fail: but it is so versitile - running a computer directly while charging the battery is nice.

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boatgt
Navigator

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117 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 10:15:49

Where did you buy the Kipor from? That was what I was going to buy originally. Harbor Freight Tools sold them locally. I debated for a while and when I went to purchase one, I was told they were discontinued. I figured if I ever had a problem there was a local store to go to(till they discontinued them). That is when I decided on the Honda knowing they were going to be around. I was very impressed by the Kipor and you can’t beat the price but I wanted parts and service availability.
Gene

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ajski1000
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 22:03:48

Just out of curiosity, what type of electronics are you going to be running, and for how long?

The reason i ask is because, if its something like just a gps etc, that you arnt going to run for days,

Instead of buying the generator, why not just run a large deep cycle battery, just charge it when u need it. No?

Am I making sense?

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DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 05:53:53

Don -
I remember that Honda on the Hunter 25. But thought the depth sounder on the bow was cuter.

Dan ~ ~ _/) ~ ~

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 06:19:33

There was some great advice given to me in this thread:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12084&SearchTerms=generator

and I also posted what I decided on for a solution. Used the power pack last weekend briefly to run a hand drill. Left it on the boat and will see this weekend how much it charge it lost.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 10:00:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DanM
 Don -
I remember that Honda on the Hunter 25. But thought the depth sounder on the bow was cuter.

Dan ~ ~ _/) ~ ~
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oh, yeah!...That boat had real nice depth sounder! A little more maintenance than the standard depth sounder, but well worth it!

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broudbrun
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 13:24:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by boatgt
 Where did you buy the Kipor from? That was what I was going to buy originally. Harbor Freight Tools sold them locally. ...
Gene

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Harbor Freight Tools

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.